Chapter 7 debtors seek to liquidate assets to create a fund to pay creditors amounts ranging from zero to all of what they owe. Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 debtors file plans proposing to pay creditors all or part of amounts owed.

Chapter 11 petitioners are usually businesses seeking to reorganize under court protection.

Chapter 13 filers are most often consumer debtors proposing to pay debts in monthly installments over five years.

The courts’ Rochester division covers the counties of Monroe, Livingston, Ontario and Wayne along with Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben and Yates.